Beep... beep...

Sophie's phone isn't off, she just doesn't want to speak with me. Her favourite phrase, 'Stranger and stranger' was a perfect fit for this situation.

I tossed the phone aside and continued to chew on my sandwich, hardly feeling any flavour. My sickness stopped as abruptly as it began. Yesterday I barely managed to force myself to stay in bed, but mom insisted, even letting me slack off with the remote on my lap. Johan called a couple of times to check up on me.

My heart fluttered when remembering the phone calls, even though we didn't say much. You know, just a couple of words along the lines of 'How are you feeling?' 'Not bad actually.' 'Not wandering off anymore?' 'Nope.' 'That's great, see you!'

At least he's worried, that alone is soothing. Unlike a certain someone.

"Looks like it's gonna rain, need a lift?"

Olaf placed a plate of sliced pears and apples in front of me. Ever since he started living with my mom, our menu got an increased amount of his favourite vegetarian dishes.

He's a decent fellow, generally speaking. Good at cooking, really loves my mom and makes it pretty obvious. They have only been together for half a year and mom already started to look a lot better, now you can't even tell that she's five years older than him.

There she is, sitting on the sofa and painting her nails. Today she is wearing a light-blue suit with a short skirt that accentuates her long and slender legs. Before Olaf, she preferred to wear pants like me. Once I get a boyfriend, I'll start wearing skirts too. Although, in this weather...

I approached the window, seeing the grey sky hang heavily above the streets. The rain will last a while, it seems.

"That doesn't sound too bad," I answered after a delay. "but then you will have to pick me up from school as well, is that alright?"

"Of course."

My phone happily beeped, notifying me of a new email.

Now, this is interesting! So, she ignores my calls and not the emails? Alright, let's see what she wants.

Sophie's email contained one word, 'Watch.' and an attached one-minute video. Glancing at Olaf and mom, I turned down the volume before pressing play, just in case.

The first few seconds were filled with complete darkness until suddenly a round, white glow illuminated a tangle of twigs and grass. The light dashed to the side, revealing a grey figure with its hands between the knees, almost squatting. I couldn't make out its face, just a pointed protrusion instead of a head. It looked quite creepy.

The scene began to slowly enlarge, bobbing up and down with the footsteps of the person filming. The light disappeared for a moment, then lit up the silhouette. The odd shape of the head turned out to just be a tightly-pulled hood that looked familiar. Are you kidding me? That's me, standing there! I'm sure of it; the bushes, the stone, I remember them! They just look different from this perspective.

Looks like Sophie decided to record our misadventure at the graveyard. But why can't I remember getting filmed?

Now I could clearly see my face under the hood, which made me turn pale. A still, mindless gaze; furrowed brows, mouth hanging slightly open, eyes reflecting the flashlight but remaining dilated which made them look almost fully black.

Right by me, there was some sort of movement. Barely visible ripples on the screen, appearing like a swirling chunk of fog constantly changing its shape. As I kept on watching, I noticed a small detail that stayed the same unlike its surroundings: a thin ghostly thread coming out from the top of my head, the end of which dissolved into the wavy gloom.

The video blinked and distorted.

Again, then turned back to normal.

The screen blinked a final time, but instead of turning back to normal, it showed a gruesome face that had its eyes gouged out!

I shrieked and dropped my phone.

***

A syndicate is a self-organising group of individuals, companies, corporations or entities...

My jaw was beginning to feel sore from yawning. I stared at the book and saw only a meaningless mixture of words, even though this wasn't my first time reading the text.

...formed to transact some specific business, to pursue or promote a shared interest.

A folded piece of paper landed on top of the business textbook. Inside was a doodle of a skinny goblin with curly hair, with a note saying: You need more vitamins.

"And you need more brain cells!" I whispered towards the broad back in a blue pullover.

"Be quiet, you grinch," Matty giggled. "have you looked in a mirror recently?"

"I was sick... hey, where's Sophie? Was she in school yesterday?"

"Ah, you haven't heard?" Matty half-turned toward me with a happy grin on his face. "You see, she had a fight with Layla and got a wee..."

"Matias! Could you please focus on the task?" Amelie's cold politeness signalled the end of our little chat.

***

Upon walking into the cafeteria, My eyes immediately found the furthest corner which was normally occupied by seniors.

Johan was already having his lunch there. Beside, or more accurately, almost on top of him was the Vietnamese girl Cherry, whose presence caused a usual wave of irritation to wash over me. Ever since half a year ago, almost from her first day at school she's been practically glued to Johan. To add insult to injury, Johan does not seem the slight bit bothered by it. 

Highly frustrated, I threw random food onto my tray and plopped by Matty, who was sifting through his spaghetti with the passion of a gold digger. 

"Tell me," I started, "all that you know, heard or... just everything!"

"About the fight, you mean?" The widest of grins stretched across Matty's face. "It was epic! Their parents were called and sent immediately to the nurse; it was so bad the lessons almost had to be suspended!"

"Wait, hold up! Can you start from the beginning, point by point?"

"Uh, I'll try. To be honest, I haven't seen how it started, it was during recess. I was just chilling when I suddenly heard shrieking from down the hallway and ran to see the drama like the rest. And there they were; two girls rolling on the floor, pulling at each other's hair all while screaming profanities. I couldn't even make out who they were at first. People tried pulling them apart but to be completely honest, I would not reccomend that. Not very keen on getting my eyes scratched out, you know. Anyway, good thing the principal and Sophie's brother jumped between them. It took a few tries but they eventually restrained the girls." 

"But why? What made them start fighting?" I couldn't even imagine the neat and slightly snobbish Sophie in a catfight. "Something serious perhaps?"

"The thing is, nobody knows." Matty chewed the words with his pudding. "Looks like they were just having a normal chat when out of nowhere your Sophie just whacked Layla's face, and you know the rest. Oh, she also managed to tear off her skirt while they were on the floor and it turns out she wears thongs. It was a red one that time."

"Cool, but what about 'a week'? Did she get a suspension? When even was the fight, yesterday?"

"Two days ago and yes, she did get suspended. Her dad was super mad, seems like our princess is in deep. Are you even listening? Hello, earth to Inga? Hey, are thongs really that comfortable for you girls? Doesn't it chafe?"

"Google it," I cut, "'will a thong chafe my ass and what can I do about it?' I don't wear them and suggest that you don't either."

"Perv," Matty sighed, "You're grumpy... I don't wanna be your friend anymore."

"Oh no, please, I can't go on without you, you are my only light in this world!" I wept sarcastically, "Without your friendship, I'll wilt like a rose in a desert!"

Satisfied, Matty wiped his mouth. "That's better. Friends need to be trained so they don't start acting up. Where are you off to now, what happened to chatting with your 'only light in this world'?"

"Later, something came up." I sprung from the table and made a beeline for Johan, who was already leaving the cafeteria with his precious Cherry. I caught up to them in the hallway and tugged on Johan's sleeve to get his attention. 

"Hi, do you have a minute?" I asked. "It's important!"

Johan smiled. "Maybe I do, what's up?"

"Just between us." I turned to Cherry, "Sorry dear, this is private."

"No problem, I'll live." She hummed softly. She exuded an extremely friendly aura but I could see how her eyes analysed me disapprovingly, browsing my face and figure like a pair of swift cockroaches. 

Johan stepped to the side and took a seat at a windowsill. He glanced at the rainy courtyard with concern and clicked his tongue. 

"What happened to Sophie?" I asked bluntly. 

"I knew it." He complained. "What, haven't you caught up with the rumours yet?"

The fight was obviously a sore topic for him, but I persisted. 

"Don't you find it odd? It's not like her at all and she still hasn't called me a single time. Can I see her?"

"Dad locked her in, something like a house arrest. I doubt he'll let her enjoy the company of her girl friend. He even took her laptop away."

"But he didn't take the phone. I want to show you the video she sent me this morning, one sec... damn, where is it? I definitely remember saving it..."

"So you talked, after all?"

"Just the video, nothing else. Hold on, I almost found it."

"I'm afraid I don't have time for a video," Johan looked at his watch expressively. "Let's do that after school, okay?"

"I can't wait that long, I need your opinion immediately! It's only a few minutes, not too long!"

Johan sighed while glaring daggers at me but took the phone anyway.

I have to give him credit, during the last few seconds he only slightly tensed his face. He then returned my phone and furrowed his brows in thought as he looked out of the window.

"An interesting tape," He finally spoke, "The time and date match our little trip. Sophie was the one that took it; I wouldn't even think about doing it in that situation."

"Me nei-"

"The video was sent in the morning so you just simply wouldn't have the time. That is, of course, if it wasn't made earlier."

"Johan, I don't know-"

"And neither does Sophie, she struggles with photoshop for god's sake. So, who could have made this?"

"Why do you think it's made up?"

"Why shouldn't I? It's more logical than thinking there was a ghost oozing out of your head."

"That's exactly why I want to talk with Sophie. Johan, I'm begging you, can you do something? Should I ask your parents instead?"

Not breaking eye contact, Johan shoved his hands in his pockets, bit his lip and slightly swayed on his heels. He then reluctantly answered; "You know what, I'll try to talk to her myself today and I'll contact you afterwards so we can decide what to do, 'kay?"

"'Kay..." I nodded weakly.

"Also, do you have my email? Send the video to me asap."

"See you later, then?" I asked expectantly.

"Yeah, later. I'll definitely call."

'I'm really hoping you will' I thought, painfully witnessing how the loyal Cherry clung to Johan's elbow as they both walked into the classroom. 'I'll be waiting!'